Star-Ledger reporters discuss Tim Tebow's first introduction to the media Star-Ledger reporters Steve Politi and Jenny Vrentas talk about Tim Tebow's first meeting with area media and agreed that he did a good job of diffusing the speculation about the problems that this trade may bring to the Jets. The also felt Tebow did an excellent job talking about the possible quarterback controversy with Mark Sanchez and handling questions about coach Rex Ryan and his religious faith. (Video by Andre Malok / The Star-Ledger)

Despite heading into a season where he's figured to be a Wildcat-first option, Tim Tebow has spent a good portion of the offseason fine-tuning the basics of his throwing and working on becoming a more efficient passer, said Noel Mazzone, a former Jets wide receivers coach and current UCLA offensive coordinator.

Mazzone had been working closely with Tebow in two-a-day sessions after the season ended and helped the quarterback as a consultant as he prepared for the NFL coming out of Florida.

"In 30 years, the guy is as good as I've ever been around as far as wanting to work at being good at something," Mazzone said in a telephone interview this afternoon. "This kid's competitiveness and all the other things he brings to the table is amazing to me. He wants to be the best at everything he does and so his work ethic — going out every day and doing the things he needs to work on — is obviously what the great ones all have.

"What we're trying to do is work on him being a little more efficient with the football, which will help his accuracy and we're looking for him to be more comfortable in the pocket."

Mazzone, who was the Jets' wide receivers coach from 2006-08, said he was not asked about the market or the team by Tebow before a decision was made.

"I wasn't involved with any of that, where he was going or what he was doing," he said. "Only time I spent time with him is when he wanted to come out and throw on the field so we'd go out and spend time on the field," he said. I'm "just excited that he's had the chance to play in some NFL games which he hasn't before this season. Not very many of them. I think he'll just keep progressing like a lot of them do."

Tebow came to Mazzone a few weeks ago with a list of things he wanted to work on before the start of next season. The advantage, Mazzone said, was that they were able to go back to the basics, something the Jets won't have time to do when installing multiple schemes this season.

Despite the quirky motion, Mazzone said that a better understanding of pocket timing and a more efficient approach will cancel out the perceived irregularities.

"He's going through a learning curve like all young quarterbacks go through in the NFL, there's obviously a learning curve with the speed of the game in the NFL with recognizing coverages and getting the ball out quickly," he said.

Mazzone said he enjoyed his three-year tenure with the Jets and still has some good relationships in the building, but doesn't expect the team to contact him and inquire about Tebow's progress as a passer.

"Oh yeah, I loved it there, getting a chance to work with (then head-coach) Eric Mangini, and (then-offensive coordinator) Brian Schottenheimer, who I think are all guys that are at the top of their field and very smart football coaches.

"Mike Tannenbaum and anyone in this organization, I thought they were a first-class deal."

When asked if he thinks Tebow can branch out of the Wildcat label and become more of a pocket-oriented quarterback, Mazzone had this:

"I don't concern myself with all those things, how he's used and how he fits in with what they do, that's what they're good at," he said. "That's what their expertise is, they're the best of the best up there. They'll do what's best for their football team.

"My only concern is I enjoy working with Tim — how could you not, he's such a great guy to be around — and just trying to be there and help him with any of the things he needs as far as his fundamentals."